Dorothy Heckelman, 90

Dorothy Lucille (Mohney) Heckelman was born Sept. 4, 1918 to Ray Mohney and Waive Bennett in the stone house on Mohney Lake Road, Three Rivers, and resided in Three Rivers for 85 years. She passed from this life on May 20, 2009 in Columbia, Tenn.

Dorothy was eternally kind, patient and forgiving. After serving as deputy city treasurer for the City of Three Rivers for 34 years, Dorothy took care of children in her retirement. She will be remembered as being able to love the unlovable. She will always be loved in return.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Kay F. Ashley; granddaughters, Sandra K. Whitley and Randy R. Danahy; great-grandson, Kurt P. Whitley. She is also survived by nephews, Garry Mohney, Randy Mohney, Eugene Mohney, Bruce Mohney, Albert Dehaan; great-nephew, Craig Dehaan. She was preceded in death by her brother, Nial Mohney, and son, Kurt L. Heckelman.

Services for Dorothy will be Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m. at the Oakdale Chapel in Riverside Cemetery, Three Rivers. Pastor Alan Stadelman of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in memory of Dorothy to Scidmore Park, Three Rivers, or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).

Donald Aldrich, 81

Donald R. Aldrich, 81, of Three Rivers, Mich., and formerly of White Pigeon, died Thursday, May 28, 2009, at his home, following a short illness.

He was born July 3, 1927, in LaGrange, Ind., a son of Frank and Dee (Wilson) Aldrich. He had resided in the Three Rivers area for the last five years, coming from White Pigeon.

He married Irene E. Sheets, and they were later divorced. He later married Gloria Brown, who preceded him in death. He was most recently married to Joyce J. (Nottoli) Aldrich.

He was owner and operator of Aggregate processors Inc. of White Pigeon until his retirement.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Centreville. He was a graduate of LaGrange High School and a past member of the Sauganash Country Club in Three Rivers. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf.

Surviving are his wife, Joyce J. Aldrich of Three Rivers; two daughters, Linda (Kenneth) Linn of Edwardsburg and Barbara Jacobs of Euless, Texas; two sons, Ron (Sandy) Aldrich of Schoolcraft and Larry Aldrich of Mansfield, Ohio; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three stepdaughters, Kathy Nottoli, Jody (Steve) Robinson and Barbara Reber; two stepsons, Michael (Donna) Nottoli and Thomas (Kitty) Nottoli; and several stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters; and a brother.

There will be no visitation. Cremation has been conducted. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Centreville, with the Rev. David Grimm officiating. Burial will follow in Constantine Township Cemetery in Constantine.

Memorial donations may be made to Creator’s Praise Ministry (EN Gedi Campground) or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Envelopes are available at Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon, which is in charge of arrangements.

Michael Kuenzel, 37

Michael Dale Kuenzel, age 37, of Burr Oak, unexpectedly went
to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday morning May 27, 2009 at his home.

He was born January 30, 1972 in Three Rivers, Michigan a son to Dale S.
and Phyllis (Plank) Kuenzel. Michael’s parents were so blessed to have
this special child. He was such a joy although he faces many obstacles
in his life. His favorite nickname was “Mit the Kit”.

Michael lived in Sturgis most of his life where he attended Sturgis High
School, moving to Burr Oak in 2008. He had worked in and around the
Sturgis area since he got out of school.

Michael’s greatest passion in life was helping other people. He worked
at soup kitchens, helping to feed the poor and homeless. He never met a
stranger because he would always stop to help someone out. Michael’s
happiest times were when he volunteered to help with the Special
Olympics and chaperoning as they played different sports around the state.

Michael was involved with the Special Olympics for many years. Sometimes
renting a court at the Doyle Center so they could practice before the
basketball games.

He once said, “They gave me more than I could ever give back”. Michael
always said his greatest role model was his brother Bryan who played in
Special Olympics.

Michael had a great love for music, not only listening, but writing
songs and often performing in his best friend’s band.

Michael had recently started attending Grace Christian Fellowship in
Sturgis, saying it felt like home.

He touched many lives with his kindness and his very loving and giving
heart.

Michael is survived by his Dad; Dale S. Kuenzel of Burr Oak, Mother and
Step-Father; Phyllis L. and John Dudley of Howe, Indiana, Brother; Bryan
Kuenzel of Burr Oak, Paternal Grandmother; Ruth Holmes of Burr Oak,
Maternal Grandmother; Dorothy Plank of Constantine and several aunts,
uncles and cousins.

In accordance with his wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial
service celebrating the life of Michael Dale Kuenzel will be held at
11:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 2^nd at Grace Christian Fellowship, 300 Timothy
St., Sturgis, Michigan. The Rev. Ross Gerber will officiate. A meal and
time of fellowship and sharing of memories will follow the service at
the church.

The Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St.,
Sturgis, MI 49091 is entrusted with the arrangements.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Michael
Kuenzel’s memory to consider the Special Olympics of St. Joseph County
c/o: Trudy Camp, Pathfinder Center, 62445 Shimmel Rd., Centreville, MI
49032. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com
<http://www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com/> where personal messages of
support may be left for the family.

Geraldine Adams, 89

Geraldine O. Adams, 89, of Elkhart, Ind., died Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at Golden Living Center in Elkhart, Ind., following an extended illness. 

She was born Nov. 17, 1919, in Three Rivers, Mich., a duaghter of Carl and Forest Edna (Leeth) Jewell. 

She had lived in Elkhart, Ind., since 2006, coming from Union, Mich. 

On April 2, 1949, she married Dan A. Adams in Bristol, Ind. He died Dec. 21, 1980. 

During her early life she was employed by the telephone company and was a homemaker and sold Avon products. She was a member of Bettany Missionary Church in Elkhart, Ind., and was a children’s Sunday School teacher. She enjoyed gardening, flowers and cake decorating. 

Surviving are a daughter, Karan E. Holt-Hartley of Elkhart, Ind.; a son, Kenneth E. (Pam) Adams of Elkhart, Ind.; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harold B. Jewell of Lake City, Mich., and Virgil (Annabelle) Jewell of South Bend, Ind.; several nieces and newphes. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and a brother, Darl Jewell. 

Relatives and friends may call from 3-6 p.m. Sunday at the Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon. Services are at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dale Turner of Zion Missionary Church in Elkhart, Ind., officiating. 

Burial will be in White Pigeon Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the chairty of one’s choice.

TR Health board discusses Centreville clinic

The Three Rivers Health Authority Board has authorized negotiation of a lease agreement to relocate its Family Care clinic in Centreville to the new St. Joseph County Community Mental Health (CMH) building that’s nearing completion on the east side of the village.

                In action during their May meeting Thursday morning (May 28^th), board members voted unanimously to authorize Matt Chambers, president and CEO of Three Rivers Health, to move forward with the offer from CMH to utilize space in the new facility.  The building includes space designed for primary care use and is located across the street from the current Family Care clinic location adjacent to Village Market.

                In reporting the CMH offer, Chambers said, “We have been – for quite some time – bottle-necked in Centreville with what we are able to do in terms of the number of patients and numbers of rooms.”  And, he said, “We, for some time, have been trying to figure out how to expand the capacity of that space.”

                Regarding the move to the new CMH building, Chambers said, “It would expand the amount of space that we do have so we can provide more services, which, again, in turn, generates more ancillary revenue because you see more patients in a primary care setting.”

                According to Chambers, the new setting would provide 1,669 square feet for the clinic – compared to “about 1,200″ square feet in the current location – for a modest increase in the monthly rental fee from the $1,725 paid now to $1,856.

                Chambers said, “I would strongly recommend that we actually do take advantage of that new space,” but said he was “not suggesting buying new furniture.”

                During a post-meeting interview about the relocation, Chambers said, “It would allow us to get more patients into the system, actually driving more revenue into the hospital for ancillary laboratories, or ancillary radiology, those kinds of things, because we’d be able to see more patients.”  And he said that, if Three Rivers Health didn’t make the move, CMH “would be seeking those medical services from someone else, which would bring competition into that small geographic area” and draw revenue away from the hospital.

                Regarding negotiation of a contract with CMH, Chambers said, “We would just be a tenant in the building.  No ownership.  We didn’t put the building up.  We didn’t have anything to do with financing the building or anything, so this is just a rental arrangement.”

                Chambers indicated the new space is expected to be ready by mid-July or early August.

                Three Rivers Health also has clinic operations in Three Rivers – across from the high school – and in White Pigeon.

Michigan unemployment declines, but. . .

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates declined over the month in 16 of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas, according to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.  In April, total employment levels declined in most regions, while labor force levels fell in all areas.

“The unemployment rate declines in April for much of the state were primarily due to work force reductions.” said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives.  “Normally, employment trends upward in April throughout Michigan.  However this year, seasonal hiring was sluggish with the exception of some northern areas.”

From March to April, the seasonal jobless rate reductions in the 16 regions ranged from 0.1 to 1.8 percentage points with a median decline of 0.8 of a percentage point.  The Northeast and Northwest Lower Michigan Regions posted the largest rate reductions of 1.8 and 1.4 percentage points respectively due to initial seasonal hiring for the summer tourism season.

The unemployment rate rose slightly over the month by 0.4 of a percentage point in the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate in April was 12.7 percent, down from 14.3 percent in March.  The jobless rate in Branch County was 13.8 percent compared to 14.9 percent in March.  The April unemployment rate in Cass County was 10.6 percent, down from 11.5 percent in March.  And Kalamazoo County’s jobless rate declined from 9.6 percent in March to 9.0 percent in April.

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